Castleford Tigers boss drops big recruitment update and responds to Jack Ashworth links

Head coach Danny McGuire has revealed a major update on Castleford Tigers’ search for an overseas signing.

Hooker Judah Rimbu was released from his contract earlier this week after just 10 first team appearances and has returned to his former club Papua New Guinea Hunters in Australia’s Queensland Cup.

His exit opened a space on Tigers’ overseas quota and, speaking at his weekly preview press conference today, McGuire said a deal is close to being done.

“We are looking to bring somebody in on quota to replace Judah,” McGuire confirmed

“The paperwork is just taking a little bit of time to get done, but I am hoping somebody will be in by the end of the week [or] the early part of next week. I think it is pretty much nearly done, but I don’t want to jinx it by giving it away.”

McGuire wouldn’t name the target, but did say it is not South Sydney Rabbitohs’ former St George-Illawarra man Jacob Host.

He said: “He [the target] is a middle-forward, back-row forward who has played a decent amount of NRL and has got some experience. That’s as much as I can give you.”

Castleford Tigers boss responds to Jack Ashworth reports

Asked about a report by Love Rugby league linking Hull FC forward Jack Ashworth with a move to Castleford next year, McGuire stressed:  “He is a player at another club.

“He is a player I admire, I think he has still got his best years ahead of him, but not that I am aware of at the minute.

“At the minute he is a Hull player so I can’t really comment too much on that.”

McGuire revealed Tigers will be unchanged for tomorrow’s visit of Betfred Super League leaders Hull KR, following last week’s 22-14 win at Hull FC.

He said: “The lads who played on Friday all got through the game well and all contributed to a really good team performance so they will get an opportunity to back it up. We will be going with the same 17.”